Nebraska is hiring Rob Aurich, currently the DC at San Diego State to be their DC in 2026. He has also coached at Idaho and South Dakota.
Don’t know what his defensive philosophy is, I suspect people will dig into that quickly.
Mike Nolan
He ran a 4-2-5 at SDSU
Beyond that, I don’t know.
Tommy Thompson
Just call me “Pa”
Go Big Red
Go Cardinals
How is this an improvement or anything other than huh? Who is he?
LynetteLynette Peavey
831-801-2730
He’s had some very strong defenses, rated #5 IIRC and a strong run D.
He runs a 4-2-5, moving a LB down to the edge and putting some more beef on the line. This is the same overall D that Bo Pelini ran at NU. Schemes matter but talent and discipline are more important.
It’ll be interesting to see if he changes the personnel significantly.
Here is the AI VIEW:
The San Diego State (SDSU) Aztecs had a top-tier defense in the 2025 college football season, finishing around#5 nationally in scoring defense (12.6 PPG) and #7 in total defense, a massive jump from the previous year, led by new Defensive Coordinator Rob Aurich, who just left for Nebraska’s DC job. Their defense excelled in key areas like points per play and third-down defense, making them one of the nation’s best units.
Key 2025 Defensive Rankings:
- Scoring Defense: ~#5 nationally (12.6 PPG).
- Total Defense: ~#7 nationally (267.5 yards allowed).
- Passing Yards Allowed: ~#5 nationally (157.0 YPG).
- Points Per Play: #3 nationally (0.215).
- Third-Down Conversion Defense: #12 nationally (33.59%).
Context of the Turnaround: - SDSU’s defense improved dramatically from the 2024 season when they ranked 97th in scoring defense.
- This success led to their DC, Rob Aurich, being hired by Nebraska as their new Defensive Coordinator in December 2025, notes ESPN, CBS 8, San Diego Union-Tribune and thedailyaztec.com.
Jim Dean
Here is a link to an interview with Aurich:
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Of course the Aztecs didn’t have to play Michigan, Iowa, USC, etc…
Here’s a link to their games this year. 9-3 overall.
No Big 10 teams but some decent opponents. Playing No. 25 North Texas State in bowl game.
I have some hope for this guy.
Jim Dean
That was a bust. Sorry,
Jim Dean
Wrong again. Info is pasted under body of post.
Jim Dean
PS: I predate Johnny Rodgers. That’s my excuse
Still don’t see anything, not sure where it’s getting lost.
I pasted it html.
DL coach Terry Bradden has been fired after one season at Nebraska.
Man, Rhule is really cleaning house. I really don’t know but I wonder there is more to these firings that just football?
John Papenhagen
nolan List Manager
DL coach Terry Bradden has been fired after one season at Nebraska.
I’ve seen rumors that MR is trying to poach a DL coach that was to move with Lane Kiffin to LSU. Maybe he has someone already.
I’m glad there’s some shakeup with the assistant coaches. It’ll be next season before we can tell if there’s any improvement from it but it was obvious - even to X & O novices like myself - that some changes needed to happen. It seems to me we’ve had some decent talent at the skill positions over the past decade but no consistency along the lines.
Scott Buffington
I get the sense that Rhule hasn’t been happy with the performance of at least some of his coaching staff. He has alluded to the fact that the team did not come into games seeming prepared or ready to play. I know that is ultimately the head coach’s responsibility, but if he isn’t getting the right effort from assistants, it makes his job a lot more difficult.
Also, heard Jay Moore and Damon Benning having a discussion regarding technique, or the lack thereof, of the defensive front. Some very basic skills that don’t require monster linemen that weren’t being practiced. So maybe some ineffective coaching?
From LJS article on DL coach firing:
A FootballScoop report indicated Nebraska is among several schools targeting Elijah Robinson. A former Rhule assistant at Temple and Baylor, Robinson was among the nation’s top defensive line coaches during a recent stint at Texas A&M.
I’m with you, head coaches have to be pretty ruthless in their decisions about their assistant coaches, because their jobs are ultimately on the line as well. I’ve seen too many coaches who were reluctant to make a coaching change, Fitz at Northwestern, for example. I’ll be curious to see what coaching staff he puts together at Michigan State and how loyal he is to them if MSU doesn’t turn around quickly.